Bill Seeks to Advance US Embassy Move to Jerusalem

Congressional Israel Allies members have introduced new legislation to move US embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.

By Rina Tzvi

First Publish: 7/30/2013, 5:53 PM

Demonstration outside U.S. Embassy

Israel News photo: My Israel

Members of the Congressional Israel Allies Caucus have introduced legislation in the United States Congress that would move the U.S. embassy, which is not located in Tel Aviv, to Israel’s capital-- Jerusalem.

The bill, H.R.. 2846, is the latest attempt to put pressure on the Obama administration to acknowledge Jerusalem as Israel's capital, a step the administration and past administrations have been unwilling to take.

According to The Hill, the bill was introduced on Friday, just a few days before Israel and the Palestinian Authority were set to resume peace talks in Washington.

The bill is sponsored by three of the four co-chairmen of the Congressional Israel Allies Caucus — Reps. Trent Franks (R-Ariz.), Brad Sherman (D-Calif.) and Doug Lamborn (R-Colo., according to The Hill.

In June, members of the caucus argued that need for the United States to recognize Jerusalem as the eternal capital of the Jewish state.

"We strongly believe that Jerusalem should be recognized as the capital of Israel with no waivers and no caveats," Lamborn said then.

Earlier in the year, members of the House and Senate proposed a similar bill, requiring the U.S. to recognize Jerusalem as the capital and relocate the embassy.

The Obama administration has come under intense pressure from pro-Israel groups throughout the duration of his presidency for his failure to recognize Jerusalem as Israel’s capital.